OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, 18 October 2019 --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recognizes the significant role of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in improving employment and living conditions of job seeking Filipinos for local and overseas. Consequently, the recognition of PESOs Jimenez and Oroquieta as the regional winners along with Manolo Fortich and Cagayan de Oro on their respective categories for the 2018 National Search for Best PESO. Two entries of Misamis Occidental earmarked a first time in the history of the province where the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Jimenez won as the National Best PESO awardee for the year under the 3rd to 4th class municipality category in Region X.

For attaining the required percentile rating for the 2018 Search for Best PESO, and having sustained an improved delivery of employment facilitation services, Guimalan and Oroquieta City PESO Manager Mark Anthony Artigas were nominated at the national tilt after being declared as the regional winners on 11 July 2019 during the PESO Mid-year Performance Assessment (MYPA) held at Costa Del Sol Resort Hotel, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.

In addition, Guimalan was also given a certificate of recognition by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as the Outstanding Work Performance Awardee in the 2019 Regional Search for Outstanding Government Officials and Employees conferred last 26 September 2019 at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

Moreover, DOLE-X Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office Chief Leonardo G. Rodrigo recognized Guimalan for his passion and his commitment to service, “The award serves not only to measure your performance, but most importantly, to reward your efforts in unselfishly helping DOLE in providing services to our clients.”

Rodrigo felt so honored for the accomplishments within the province which led to the awareness of local citizens in Misamis Occidental on livelihood and job opportunities to further excel towards improved and productive employment facilitation.

With these exemplary accomplishments, the employment facilitation program services through the PESO for the job seeking public proved to provide apt career opportunities and services aimed to sustain their family’s basic needs, learning ethical standards and productivity in the workplace.

The continuing challenge imposed upon PESOs and Local Chief Executives lead to PESO institutionalization that standardize employment service facilities as viable service providers that can operationalize PESO’s core functions thereby contributing to a more effective labor market dynamics.

Hence, Guimalan highlighted these challenges in his entry to the National Search through his bid book. He was hesitant at first due to budget constraint and lack of manpower. However, with his commitment to reduce unemployment, he intensified his role facilitating employment. “I pray that this exemplary milestone would endure years, decades and even centuries to the point that no one would starve due to hunger, and that all would live in an equal and economically stable municipality and city,” he said.

PESO institutionalization is mandated by Republic Act (RA) No. 10691, amending RA No. 8759 or the PESO Act of 1999 that defines the roles of the DOLE and the LGU in the establishment and operationalization of the office.

Under the Act, the established PESOs in all provinces, cities, and municipalities are operated and maintained by the LGU that provide employment services through referral and placement, labor market information, and deliver programs and projects in coordination with the DOLE.

LGU Jimenez PESO Manager Arnulfo Guimalan and staff prepare the bid book for the Search for the National Best PESO for the as one of the nominees for the Search for the National Best PESO award during the PESO Congress on 9 October 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, Bacolod, Negros Occidental. (Photo Source: LGU PESO Jimenez)

National Best PESO LGU Jimenez Arnulfo Guimalan (center), 3rd and 4th Class Category receives his plaque with his staff during the PESO Congress held at SMX Convention Center, Bacolod, Negros Occidental on October 9, 2019. (Photo Source: LGU PESO Jimenez)